South Dakota

In 2006, the U.S. Senate voted on bill H.R. 810. Enactment of the bill would have provided federal funding for stem cell research derived from human embryos. The bill passed both the Senate and the House of Representatives but was vetoed by President George W. Bush. South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson, a Democrat, voted for the bill, whereas South Dakota Senator, John Thune, a Republican, voted against it.

In South Dakota itself, codified law 34-14-18 restricts the use of embryonic stem cell research regardless of the source. This is one of the most restrictive state laws in the nation in regards to stem cell research. In 2010, supporters of embryonic stem cell research proposed a ballot initiative, the South Dakota Embryonic Stem Cell Research Measure. Those ...